A/N: Did I write something sweet for once? The music piece I listened to (Canon in D) starts out softly until it rises and rises then slowly fades out again. It's a pretty piece often played at weddings and such and I wanted to write that feeling of happiness.
N: Music piece slowly starts (meeting someone) then it crescendos (the conversation between Hermione and Draco where it gets a bit heated) then the adagio. (Their conversation at the end)
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Music History - Assignment 3: Option 1, Listened to Canon in D
Inspired by Canon in D.
Word Count: 974
Disclaimer: Nope. Never Have, Never Will.
The Music Begins
He looked at her first.
That's what she would say years later when asked on how she met her husband. But for now, she smiles back and gives a tiny nod. Her heart speeds up when he crosses the room and heads straight to where she is standing. She clears her throat and curtsies slightly as the man before her asks her to dance with him.
There is no denying his handsomeness. His grey eyes causes her skin to prickle with excitement and there is a vast difference in her own tan skin from tending the garden to his pale skin, as their hands connect.
"You'll have to lead," she comments, as they take their place on the floor with all the other couples. "I haven't yet learned how to dance."
He shoots her a bewildered look and tilts his head. "I thought every lady knew how to dance."
She frowns, looking at the man before again. There was something about that statement that rubs her in all the wrong places. "Oh?"
"It's required, isn't it?" It seems more like a statement than a question. She narrows her eyes as he continues speaking. "Your parents must've been less fortunate to not have instructed you in dance lessons. Why Lady Parkinson, a close friend, knew how to dance the age of 10 and only by the finest of instructors. Of course, I was also taught the art of dance at that age."
Did he just call her family poor while simultaneously bragging about his riches? She feels her brows raise involuntarily in surprise, irritation, and mild amusement. "Is that so? May I ask your name, sir?"
He smirks at her as the music begins playing. He confidently places a hand on her hip and grabs her hand when the quartet raise their bows and begin to play again. "I'm Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. You would be?"
Not worthy, at least, according to his parents. She knew the Malfoys and the size of their estate which is hardly a fair comparison to her humble abode. "Hermione Granger."
Hermione can see the confusion on his face as he tries to think of her family's status. She wonders if her dowry was anything at all to his grand fortune. At least Malfoy wasn't lying when he said he knew how to dance.
"I've never heard the surname Granger before," he bluntly replies, giving her an obvious look over. "What's your parents occupations? "
Hermione's former amusement is gone. "My father owns crops. My mother teaches."
His eyes widen. "Your mother teaches? Why? Does you father not have enough money? I thought the married woman shouldn't work." He looks slightly worried to be dancing with her. "Exactly how poor are you?"
The music slowly fades and Hermione grins.
'"Wouldn't you look at that? It seems our time is up and I see Lady Parkinson over there looking at you." That was actually true. She could most definitely make out Pansy Parkinson giving her the stink eye for dancing with Malfoy. Besides, Hermione can make out his father's upturned nose at her. "This was interesting. Good bye."
She hurriedly leaves a shocked Draco and the dance floor behind her as she makes her way back to the sidelines. There is no way she'd ever see Draco Malfoy again. Not with her family wealth. He is obviously from the wealthy side and while her family is not struggling for money they have just enough. Even the invitation to the ball was made out to everyone in the area, regardless of status.
"The audacity of some women," she overhears Lady Astoria Greengrass comment to her elder sister, "thinking they could dance and socialize with the wealthy. Money grabbers is what they are, trying to ensnare what rightfully should be married to us in the future."
Hermione sighs, ignoring the two ladies who were no doubt talking about her if the glares were anything to go by. She seeks out her friend Ginny Weasley who was eagerly talking to Mr. Harry Potter. Maybe the glares weren't directed at her entirely.
"Pardon me, Lord Potter," she swiftly interrupts, and nudges Ginny to the side while Harry laughs unabashedly and makes conversation with Mr. Neville Longbottom. "Ginny, I'm leaving first. You're welcome to stay."
"But the night is young," the younger girl complains, "you can't leave yet. At least not until you leave with the promise of seeing a gentleman."
Hermione snorts, shaking her head at the foolishness. "I hope not. Anyway, I'm rather tired and want to retire early."
The redhead frowns but nods anyway. "If you say so, but do get Ron to drop you off."
Hermione laughs and motions over to one of her childhood friends, Ronald Weasley, who looks completely uncomfortable in his attire. "Ron, can you walk me home?"
"Oh, thank God, Hermione," Ron replies in relief, grabbing his hat and making his way towards the doors. "I want to get out of this suit already."
They were almost out the door when she feels a tap on her shoulder.
"Miss Granger," Draco starts, glancing nervously at Ron. He looks sort of bashful and ashamed. It's kind of cute, she thinks, the way he anxiously plays with the hem of his coat. "I was rude beforehand. I wanted to apologize."
Hermione blinks, a smile finding a way to her lips. That was . . . .surprising. "Oh, thank you."
"May I pay a visit to you tomorrow?" he asks with much more confidence than he had beforehand. A lopsided smile graces his features and she can see the expectancy in his eyes..
Hermione purses her lips as if contemplating the decision before nodding and hiding a secret smile. "You may."
They bid farewell and Hermione wonders about her strange if not borderline irritating encounter with Draco Malfoy.
She looked back.